A Philip Spirit

Mark D. Uzupan

John 1:43 

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Philip was one of the first disciples to follow Jesus.  Philip was the first man that Jesus said to follow me.  But the Bible says something about Philip that is not said about the other disciples and that is Jesus went forth into Galilee and he found Philip.  The other disciples Peter came to Jesus or were brought to Jesus.  Even though Philip was sought out by the Lord, Philip was an ordinary man.

There was something in Philip that Jesus saw, which was a trait that Philip had that Jesus, went to Philip to get him.

When Philip heeded the call to follow Jesus he went and told Nathaniel about Jesus. Philip's reaction was I will follow you but I am going to bring someone with me.  Philip did for Nathaniel what Jesus did for him and we need to do for others what Jesus has done for us.

Matthew 10:8   Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

He was willing to go get someone.

Jesus has called each one of us personally

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

We did not find Jesus for Jesus found us.  Let us allow spirit of Philip to invade our lives; you may ask the question what do you mean?

Jesus wanted to see what Philip's reaction would be to the need of hungry people.  The other disciples told Jesus to send the people away.

Jesus was trying to see if Philip would respond to the miracle and be available for the miracle.

John 6:5-7  When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?  (6)  And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.  (7)  Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

But, Philip was one that had a desire to know God in a greater way:

John 14:8-9  Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.  (9)  Jesus saith unto him,  Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

There is a spirit of Phillip that seems to have compassion and care for people that he would go beyond the norm.

John 12:20-22  And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:  (21)  The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.  (22)  Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

Nothing changed after he received the Holy Ghost. Out casts, he was willing to reach.

Acts 8:5  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Philip went to the Samaritans which was a group of people that the Jews hated and then the spirit of the Lord called them to a Gentile. Jesus told Philip to join himself to the chariot. Make a connection and stay with them.

Acts 8:26-35  And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.  (27)  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,  (28)  Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.  (29)  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.  (30)  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  (31)  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.  (32)  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:  (33)  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.  (34)  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?  (35)  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Can we allow the spirit of Phillip to touch us that we can reach out the people that are not in our realm; that we can go to the undesirables?

Raymondville, TX  12/2009